Taylor council member faces challenger in election on Saturday
An incumbent and a commercial construction site superintendent are running for the District 1 seat on the Taylor City Council in Saturday's election.
Council Member Gerald Anderson, a 50-year-old driver for Uber and Lyft, is seeking his second term against 55-year-old Stan Werner. Council members serve three-year terms.
Anderson, who has also served as mayor pro tem for two years, said the biggest concern of residents is housing affordability. "With the increase in property values, owning a home is becoming more difficult," he said.
READ: How did tiny Taylor win Samsung's $17 billion chip plant? Incentives helped
"District 1 is traditionally a lower income district," Anderson said. "Quite a bit of the constituents live on a fixed income."
He said his goals if elected would include bringing a facility to town where "our youth, adults and seniors can exercise, get job training, receive health care services and provide a safe environment for our children."
"I will also do what I can to prevent gentrification in South Taylor by introducing ordinances to help our neighborhoods keep their traditional look and feel," said Anderson.
He said he has a track record of proven leadership and success that makes him the best candidate.
"In my three years on the council, Taylor has made tremendous strides in becoming a more efficient and inclusive community," he said. "I have worked hard to make sure everyone in Taylor feels like they belong and have a voice."
The Texas City Management Association named the Taylor City Council the council of the year in 2021. Samsung also announced in November that it was building a $17 billion chip plant near Taylor.
"This will put Taylor on a path to prosperity and opportunity not seen in Taylor in 100 years," said Anderson.
Werner also said residents' biggest concern was the "huge spikes in the tax appraisals."
"People are afraid they will be priced out of the homes they have lived in for years," he said. "We absolutely must get the tax rates lowered."
He said his other goals if elected include refocusing the city's growth to the south, streamlining the permitting process, limiting City Council members to two terms and putting the mayor's position up for election. Currently the mayor is selected by council members.
What makes him the best candidate is his "vast wealth of construction, managerial and small business experience," he said. "I am familiar with budgets and scheduling, and what it takes to make a small business successful," he said.
About the candidates
Gerald Anderson
Education: Attended Huston-Tillotson University and studied business
Community involvement: Serves as executive director of the Bill Pickett Educational Foundation, chairman of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Texas, board member of Trinity Charter Schools, Meals on Wheels delivery driver. Served as board member of Taylor Educational Enrichment Foundation, former mentor at Taylor Middle School.
Stan Werner
Education: Bachelor's degree in biophysics/biochemistry from the University of Houston
Community involvement: Volunteers for Taylor Little League, Taylor Pop Warner, Taylor Rodeo Association, school advisory council and board member of library
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Taylor Council Member Gerald Anderson faces challenge from Stan Werner
